Experience a new level of precise control for your favorite games. The Steam Controller lets you play your entire collection of Steam games on your TV—even the ones designed without controller support in mind.

Recent Reviews:

Mixed
(101)
- 66% of the 101 user reviews in the last 30 days are positive.

All Reviews:

Mostly Positive
(7,156)
- 73% of the 7,156 user reviews for this hardware are positive.

May 11

Today’s Steam Client Beta includes the option to add Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) functionality to your Steam Controller. This feature will be required to enjoy the upcoming Steam Link app, but you may find it handy for other reasons, too. I’d like to describe what this BLE connection can and cannot do compared to the existing wireless solution, steps to update your controller to add BLE support, and how to switch between wireless modes once the update is installed.

When is it a good idea to use Bluetooth?

You definitely want to use the BLE connection when

Streaming games to your iOS and Android devices with the Steam Link app.

Connecting your Steam Controller to a tablet or laptop without a USB port.

You just can't find your Steam Controller Wireless Receiver.

Otherwise we suggesting sticking with the original protocol. It provides the fastest connection, with low-latency support for up to four controllers per receiver, and works across all major operating systems. The BLE connection is excellent, but the native wireless protocol was designed from the ground up to provide the best experience for a Steam Controller.

How do I get this firmware?

First opt into the latest Steam Client Beta. After that, connect your Steam Controller and this popup will appear:

Click 'Update firmware now' to begin the process. That should take care of it, but we also have these step-by-step instructions to help you out.

WARNING: This update clears all pairings, so you are required to reconnect the Wireless Receiver to your controller.

How do I switch between modes?

This update adds Bluetooth support; the original wireless mode is still available. If you have successfully paired to your Wireless Receiver and connected to your device over BLE, your Steam Controller is capable of switching between these modes.

Power up in original wireless mode with:

Power up in BLE mode with:

The controller will remember the last mode that was used, so you only need these button combinations when switching modes.

Thank you for testing out this new feature. More information on this firmware update is available here. As always, please share your feedback and let us know if you run into any trouble.

May 2

Greetings from the Steam Controller team. We’re pleased to announce that the latest Steam Client Beta adds support for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. We think it is a great device with a feature set that pairs nicely with your Steam catalog. The d-pad is ideal for fighting games and platformers and the gyro enhances aim in your action/FPS titles. If you’d like to test it out you will need to opt into the Steam Client Beta then follow the steps below. We hope you enjoy and, as always, we welcome your feedback.

How do I get started?First, opt into the Steam Client Beta then enable support globally by checking the ‘Nintendo Switch Configuration Support’ option in the Controller Settings page. In case you missed it, this is the same page to enable PS4 and Xbox Configuration support. By checking this box, you are able to create, share, and browse Switch Pro Controller configs on a per-game basis. The Controller Settings page also contains a global option to ‘Use Nintendo Button Layout’. This will swap the A/B and X/Y buttons of your loaded config – something that will come in handy if you choose a Steam Controller, Xbox, or standard template config.

Next, connect your controller and register it to your account when prompted. For best results with the gyro, we suggest initially calibrating your controller by selecting the 'Calibrate' option under 'Detected Controllers'.

After that, create a config (or load an existing config), via the ‘Controller Configuration’ option in the Manage Game screen for the title you are playing. The full functionality of the Steam Input Configurator is at your disposal: bind the gyro, add radial menus, create action sets, etc. If you prefer to start from a community config, press X and browse the options.

Finally, launch and play your Steam game with your Switch Pro Controller. Bring up the overlay with the ‘Home’ button to tweak your config on the fly. Please let us know if you encounter any issues.

Product and Warranty Information

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About This Hardware

Experience a new level of precise control for your favorite games. The Steam Controller lets you play your entire collection of Steam games on your TV—even the ones designed without controller support in mind. The Steam Controller features dual trackpads, HD haptic feedback, dual-stage triggers, back grip buttons, and fully-customizable control schemes. Find your favorite mappings in the Steam Community, or create and share your own.

A different kind of gamepad

We’ve improved upon the resolution and fidelity of input that’s possible with traditional gamepads. Built with high-precision input technologies and focused on low-latency, wireless performance, the Steam controller enables you to experience your games in powerful new ways.

Dual trackpads

The Steam Controller‘s dual trackpads enable the high-fidelity input required for precise PC gaming in the living room. Allowing for 1:1 absolute position input via virtual controls like a trackball, adaptive centering joystick, or steering wheel, these surfaces can be programmed to serve up whatever a game needs.

HD haptics

Haptic force actuators on both sides of the controller deliver precise, high fidelity vibrations measured in microseconds. Feel the spin of a virtual trackball, the click of a scroll wheel, or the shot of a rifle. Every input, from the triggers to the trackpads, can offer haptic feedback to your fingertips, delivering vital, high-bandwidth, tactile feedback about speed, boundaries, thresholds, textures, or actions.

Dual-stage triggers

With a satisfying digital click at the end of the trigger pull, dual-stage triggers can be used as analog, digital, or both types of input at the same time. Put your iron-sights on the sweep-in, and then fire with the reliable feel of a tactile switch, all on the same trigger.

Ergonomic control

Each of the Steam Controller’s input zones and buttons has been positioned based on frequency of use, required precision, and ergonomic comfort.

Hardware Specifications

Overview

Dual trackpads

HD haptics

Analog stick

Dual-stage triggers, each with 10° of travel, a magnetic flux sensor, and a tactile switch